Nikon Speedlight SB-5000 review

The range-topping Nikon Speedlight SB-5000 is a powerful yet cool-running flashgun that adds radio reception

Nikon Speedlight SB-5000
(Image: © Matthew Richards)

Digital Camera World Verdict

Nikon’s top-end Speedlight has a good wadge of mod-cons including a 24-200mm motorized zoom head, a full complement of regular sync, high-speed sync, slow-sync and rear-curtain sync, plus a programmable stroboscopic flash mode, along with a beefy maximum power rating. As well as the usual infrared wireless commander/slave options, it adds a built-in RF receiver but, compared with an RF transceiver, that’s something of a missed opportunity.

Pros

  • +

    Tough build quality

  • +

    Wide-ranging features

  • +

    RF wireless slave mode

Cons

  • -

    No RF wireless commander mode

  • -

    No secondary LED constant lamp

  • -

    Relatively poor value for money

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The range-topping Speedlight SB-5000 has the most powerful maximum output and the most generous motorized zoom range of any own-brand Nikon flashgun. It also adds a programmable stroboscopic flash mode so you can fire a sequence of flashes during a long exposure. Build quality is of a pro-grade standard but, unlike some competing flashguns from other manufacturers, it lacks a weather-sealed mounting foot and is comparatively expensive to buy.

(Image credit: Matthew Richards)

Specifications

Dedication: Nikon
Gn, ISO 100, max zoom (m / ft): Gn 55 / 180
Bounce range: -7 to 90 degrees
Swivel, left / right: 180 / 180 degrees
Zoom Range: 24-200mm
Manual Power Settings: 1/1 to 1/256
AF-assist beam: Red lamp
Wireless: RF slave, optical commander / slave
Additional Flash Modes:  HSS, RC, SS, Strobe
Dimensions (W x H x D): 73 x 137 x 103.5 mm
Weight (excl batteries): 420g

Key features

With a rating of Gn 55 / 180 (meters / feet, ISO 100) at its longest zoom setting of 200mm, the SB-5000 certainly isn’t lacking in maximum power. To make full use of all that power, it features an integral cooling system that enables over 100 full-power flashes in quick succession. And for more subtle or close-range lighting, the intensity is adjustable all the way down to 1/256th of maximum output.

The vertical bounce range is -7 to 90 degrees. The slight downward angle at the lowest end of the range is useful for extreme close-ups. You get full 180-degree horizontal swivel in both directions, to the left and right. (Image credit: Matthew Richards)

As with the less expensive Nikon Speedlight SB-700, this one is supplied complete with a diffusion dome, tripod/tabletop stand, and color-matching filters for tungsten and fluorescent ambient lighting, complete with auto-sensing. The whole kit fits snuggly into a soft case that’s supplied as part of the kit. As well as having a greater maximum power and zoom range than the SB-700, the SB-5000 adds a programmable strobe mode and a built-in RF receiver.

The control panel is simple and intuitive, yet gives quick and easy access to a wide range of settings. To the right of the panel is a handy temperature gauge, so you can see if you’re venturing into overheating territory. (Image credit: Nikon)

(Image credit: Nikon)

Let's take a closer look at the supplied accessories, and how they work...

A pull-out catchlight card and wide-angle diffuser panel are built into the top of the flash head. The latter is spring-loaded, so it flips down and stays in place until you stow it away again. (Image credit: Matthew Richards)

The supplied diffusion dome is of good quality and snaps securely in place. It’s useful for bouncing light off walls and ceilings, while still giving direct forward flash, for a more natural and balanced flash effect. (Image credit: Matthew Richards)

Two hard plastic clip-on color filter panels are supplied. The orange one is for balancing the flash with tungsten lighting, the other for fluorescent lighting. (Image credit: Matthew Richards)

The underneath of the flash head features auto-detection for the keyed color filters, so the camera can alter the white balance setting accordingly. (Image credit: Matthew Richards)

The RF receiver boosts the off-camera connectivity range from about 7m to 35m, and enables triggering from any angle. Other bonuses are that RF linking works through obstacles and even around corners, and is much more reliable when shooting under bright sunlight. For working with more conventional additional Speedlights in master and slave mode, infrared linking is also featured. There's also a sync terminal for triggering via a cable.

Towards the front of the right hand side is the light sensor window for infrared wireless remote flash. Towards the rear is the LINK indicator lamp for wireless RF linking. (Image credit: Matthew Richards)

On the right hand side, there’s a sync terminal socket, which is accessible beneath a pull-out weather flap. (Image credit: Matthew Richards)

It's not all good news, however, in terms of connectivity. Unlike some independent (and much less expensive RF flashguns) including the Nikon-dedicated Hahnel Modus 600RT Mk II and Godox V860III-N, the SB-5000 only has an RF receiver rather than a transceiver, so you can’t use it as a trigger in commander mode. The working range is also less than the 100m that’s now quite common. Infrared wireless commander/slave modes are still available, albeit with a much shorter range.

A plus point over the SB-700 is that regular i-TTL and i-TTL-BL (Balanced Light) flash metering modes are both available in the full range of camera exposure modes, whereas regular i-TTL mode is only available with the SB-700 when using the camera in spot metering mode.

Build quality feels very good. The Speedlight has metal hotshoe mounting foot and easy-action locking lever. However, the mounting foot doesn’t have a weather-seal shroud, unlike in some other pro-grade flashguns. (Image credit: Matthew Richards)

A tabletop stand is supplied with the Speedlight. As well as being useful in its own right, it has a tripod mounting socket built into its base. (Image credit: Matthew Richards)

Performance

Punching above its Gn 55 rating, maximum output from the SB-5000 equals or exceeds that of many Gn 60-64 flashguns on the market. Recycling speeds are also particularly rapid, even when using AA cells, rather than Nikon’s optional power pack.

Unlike some recent flashguns that feature a Li-ion battery pack, the SB-5000 runs on a more conventional set of four AA batteries. (Image credit: Matthew Richards)

As an alternative power option, you can remove the rubber cover on the front to reveal a socket for connecting an external power pack.  (Image credit: Matthew Richards)

Lab results

We test all available features for each flashgun that goes through out labs. To test power output, we used a Sekonic flash meter placed at a distance of one meter from each flashgun. We check the complete range of manual power settings, in one-stop increments. Based on a sensitivity of ISO 100, the figures correlate directly with the Gn (Guide number). The results are double-checked by taking shots of a gray card with the appropriate lens apertures and using the camera’s histogram display in playback mode. This is done for flash zoom settings of 24mm, 50mm and 105mm (in full-frame terms), where available.

We also check the accuracy and consistency of electronic/intelligent TTL (Through The Lens) flash metering, and the speed with which each flashgun can recycle to a state of readiness after a full-power flash, using both Ni-MH and alkaline cells, or a Li-ion power pack where supplied.

Power output:

(Image credit: Future)

In our tests, the SB-5000 eased ahead of many competing flashguns with higher Gn ratings for maximum available intensity, throughout the zoom range.

TTL accuracy (+/-EV): 0

Highly dependable with absolutely zero under or over exposure, TTL accuracy is equally accurate for hotshoe-mounted and off-camera use.

Recycling speed:

(Image credit: Future)

Recycling speeds are comparatively fast when using both NiMH and alkaline batteries, but slower than in some recent flashguns that are supplied with a rechargeable Li-ion battery pack instead, like the Hahnel Modus 600RT Mk II and Godox V860III-N.

Verdict

Nikon’s top-end Speedlight has a good wadge of mod-cons including a 24-200mm motorized zoom head, a full complement of regular sync, high-speed sync, slow-sync and rear-curtain sync, plus a programmable stroboscopic flash mode, along with a beefy maximum power rating. As well as the usual infrared wireless commander/slave options, it adds a built-in RF receiver but, compared with an RF transceiver, that’s something of a missed opportunity.

The SB-5000 come complete with a diffusion dome, two color filters, a tabletop stand, soft pouch and padded soft case. (Image credit: Matthew Richards)

Read more:

• Best camera lenses to get
• Best Canon lenses
• Best Nikon lenses
• Best Sony lenses

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Matthew Richards

Matthew Richards is a photographer and journalist who has spent years using and reviewing all manner of photo gear. He is Digital Camera World's principal lens reviewer – and has tested more primes and zooms than most people have had hot dinners! 


His expertise with equipment doesn’t end there, though. He is also an encyclopedia  when it comes to all manner of cameras, camera holsters and bags, flashguns, tripods and heads, printers, papers and inks, and just about anything imaging-related. 


In an earlier life he was a broadcast engineer at the BBC, as well as a former editor of PC Guide.